The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 4 eBook

VIRATA PARVA

SECTION I

(Pandava-Pravesa Parva)

Om! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara,
the most exalted of male beings, and also to the goddess
Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.

Janamejaya said, “How did my great-grandfathers,
afflicted with the fear of Duryodhana, pass their
days undiscovered in the city of Virata? And,
O Brahman, how did the highly blessed Draupadi, stricken
with woe, devoted to her lords, and ever adoring the
Deity[1], spend her days unrecognised?”

[1] Brahma Vadini—­Nilakantha
explains this asKrishna-kirtanasila.

Vaisampayana said, “Listen, O lord of men, how
thy great grandfathers passed the period of unrecognition
in the city of Virata. Having in this way obtained
boons from the god of Justice, that best of virtuous
men, Yudhishthira, returned to the asylum and related
unto the Brahmanas all that had happened. And
having related everything unto them, Yudhishthira
restored to that regenerate Brahmana who had followed
him the churning staff and the fire-sticks he had
lost. And, O Bharata, the son of the god of Justice,
the royal Yudhishthira of high soul then called together
all his younger brothers and addressed them, saying,
’Exiled from our kingdom, we have passed twelve
years. The thirteenth year, hard to spend, hath
now come. Do thou therefore, O Arjuna, the son
of Kunti, select some spot where we may pass our days
undiscovered by our enemies.’

“Arjuna replied, “Even by virtue of Dharma’s
boon, we shall, O lord of men, range about undiscovered
by men. Still, for purposes of residence, I shall
mention some spots that are both delightful and secluded.
Do thou select some one of them. Surrounding
the kingdom of the Kurus, are, many countries beautiful
and abounding in corn, such as Panchala, Chedi, Matsya,
Surasena, Pattachchara, Dasarna, Navarashtra, Malla,
Salva, Yugandhara, Saurashtra, Avanti, and the spacious
Kuntirashtra. Which of these, O king, wouldst
thou choose, and where, O foremost of monarchs, shall
we spend this year?’

“Yudhishthira said ’O thou of mighty arms,
it is even so. What that adorable Lord of all
creatures hath said must become true. Surely,
after consulting together, we must select some delightful,
auspicious, and agreeable region for our abode, where
we may live free from fear. The aged Virata,
king of the Matsyas, is virtuous and powerful and
charitable, and is liked by all. And he is also
attached to the Pandavas. Even in the city of
Virata, O child, we shall, O Bharata, spend this year,
entering his service. Tell me, ye sons of the
Kuru race, in what capacities ye will severally present
yourselves before the king of the Matsyas!’

“Arjuna said, ’O god among men, what service
wilt thou take in Virata’s kingdom? O righteous
one, in what capacity wilt thou reside in the city
of Virata? Thou art mild, and charitable, and
modest, and virtuous, and firm in promise. What
wilt thou, O king, afflicted as thou art with calamity,
do? A king is qualified to bear trouble like an
ordinary person. How wilt thou overcome this
great calamity that has overtaken thee?’